Girls against boredom!

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry was swinging haphazardly in Tempest's hammock. For years, the two friends had convened in the Nemesis cabin to talk and plan what mischief they could get into next. Now, Henry felt completely at home in that room, treating it like her own. How did Tempest feel about that? Well...  Henry smiled at her, slowing her frantic rocking to sit up, perched on the side of the hammock. 

"You'll be proud of me Temmy. I kissed Liam the other night-- Novalie is pissed at him. Shit is gonna hit the fan soon." Likely, Tempest had already heard the news. She stayed on top of all the messy business around camp, looking for weaknesses to exploit. Her deduction skills were second only to Sage. Henry decided not to include how invested she was in the situation, knowing her friend's disapproval on matters of the heart. For years, it hadn't been a problem -- stoic Henry wouldn't let anybody in enough to develop feelings. Until now, she supposed. Gross. "Anyway..." Henry's eyes flickered away from Tempest's, trying not to betray her true feelings on the situation. Tempest was a fantastic confidant. Provided you were furious at somebody and craved revenge. In love? She was probably the last person you'd tell.

The world outside the windows was still and humid. Training further away in the grounds, but altogether a sleepy day in late Summer. The perfect environment for some chaos, of which these two girls were enthusiastic harbingers. Henry rested her chin on her palm, grinning. "So, are we raising Tartarus today or what?"

@ Tempest Truett

[Tempest Truett]

The corners of Tempest's mouth twitched into a faint smile, masking the surprise she felt at Henry's confession. While most campers saw Tempest as an unshakeable force, Henry was one of the few who'd glimpsed the layers beneath her armor, and she had hoped to provide the same understanding in return. To hear about the kiss, especially involving Liam, was unexpected, to say the least. Tempest's mind raced, piecing together the events and the potential repercussions it could have, especially for Novalie. She leaned back, arms crossed, fingers tapping gently against her forearm as she weighed her response. "You're always full of surprises, Cub. I did hear something about Liam causing a stir. Can't say I'm a fan of the guy."

Looking out of the window, Tempest's thoughts churned. If Henry was embroiled in this, it complicated matters. Sure, her revenge plan was mostly for Novalie, but protecting Henry was paramount to her. "We always find ourselves in the heart of chaos, don't we?" she mused, more to herself than to her friend. There was a deep fondness in her voice, reminiscent of all the trouble they'd been through together, but there was also a protective undertone. She glanced over at Henry, noticing the subtle change in her demeanor. The usually unyielding demigod had a vulnerable sheen to her eyes. Tempest's gut told her there was more to this story than just a mere kiss for mischief's sake.

Sighing, Tempest stood up and walked over to her weapons rack, pulling out a small vial filled with a silvery liquid. "Remember this?" she said, holding it up for Henry to see. It was a concoction they had whipped up last summer – 'Pandemonium Potion,' they had named it. When spilled, it would release an incredibly potent and unpleasant odor, yet be completely invisible. They'd never found the right moment to use it. "How about we give Liam and his little crew a whiff of chaos? Literally. We could slip this into their training gear or their beds. Harmless, but it'll ensure they have a very... aromatic few days." She winked, her mischievous grin returning in full force. The playful suggestion was a diversion, a way to lighten the mood while also signaling that she was with Henry, no matter what. In their world of gods and battles, sometimes a little prankish chaos was the best way to bond and blow off steam.

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry was the very definition of conflicted. How had everything gotten so complicated over the span of just one night? She was on decent grounds with Novalie, but that would only last until Liam made his choice. A choice that would probably leave Henry out in the cold; she scowled just thinking about it. Who in their right mind would choose her over an Aphrodite camper? She was jolted out of her thoughts as Tempest spoke, though.

Plastering a fabricated grin on her face, Henry nodded. "No, me neither. He's a prick -- and a terrible kisser," she said defiantly, though she couldn't meet her friend's eyes. It was a lie, but old habits die hard, and she'd been slagging Liam off for years. She would soon regret this bold statement, though, as Tempest revealed the vial of Pandemonium Potion. Henry was sure they'd used it all up last Summer! A Hermes kid had cheated them out of some alcohol and suffered for it in a big way... his siblings had to relocate tables in the mess hall just to get away from him. Good times... but now? Not so much. Things were getting more dire by the second.

Hesitant to disappoint her friend, but even more so to upset Liam, Henry grimaced. "I don't know Temmy... Ares kids are thick as pig shit, but they'll trace it back to us. Pissing them off is a slippery slope." It was a delicate situation, and extremely hard to navigate. Part of her wanted to pull the prank, to get back at Liam for saying such awful things to her. One kiss wasn't enough to quell a rage like Henry's. But the Athena side of her was screaming not to let this get out of hand; battle strategies and logic and all that. Gods damn it, what a mess!

[Tempest Truett]

Tempest arched an eyebrow, her sharp eyes catching the momentary flicker of deceit in Henry's expression. Years of observing, plotting, and scheming had given her an uncanny ability to pick up on even the smallest inconsistencies. The way Henry spoke of Liam, the hesitance, and the slight crack in her voice when she called him a 'terrible kisser'; all of it told Tempest that the situation was far more convoluted than it seemed on the surface. There was a depth of emotion lurking there that Henry hadn't fully disclosed. However, for now, Tempest decided to keep her observations to herself. Knowledge was power, and she always knew when to play her cards right.

Tempest's attention shifted as she mulled over recent events at camp. The Hermes cabin had been up to their usual tricks, their thieving escapades growing bolder by the day. Just last week, they had swiped Tempest's cherished amulet, only to return it with a mocking note attached. It was all in good fun, they'd claimed, but it felt personal. She smirked, toying with the vial in her hand. "Henry," she started, her tone dripping with mischief, "I’ve been thinking. Why waste this on the obvious targets? The Hermes kids have been pushing their luck lately. Think it’s time they learn not to steal from us?"

She moved closer to her stash of tricks and traps, pulling out another, slightly bigger vial containing a glittering substance. "I’ve got this 'Sticky Steps' potion here. Pour it outside their cabin, and their swift feet won’t be so quick anymore. Just imagine their surprise when they find themselves glued to the spot, all their nimbleness gone!" Her chuckle was filled with wicked delight. In the ever-shifting dynamics of camp life, the line between playful pranks and retribution often blurred. But for Tempest, it was moments like this, weaving schemes with Henry by her side, that she treasured the most.

[Henrietta Abbot]

Thanking the gods for Tempest's keen intuition, Henry smiled at the new suggestion. Not only did it steer the mischief away from Liam, but it also offered a respite from all the drama she found herself tied up in. "Take away their only skill? Temmy, that's so mean! I'm totally in." Henry grinned, hopping down off the hammock to peer out of the window alongside her friend. From Tempest's room was a pretty good view of the Hermes cabin, looming as massive and worn-down as usual across the dry grass. "Those bastards stole my guitar last week... didn't even take the amp, so what was the point?" Henry shook her head in disgust as a few campers filed out of the cabin together. 

Feeling a sudden sense of relief and comfort in Tempest's presence, Henry rested her head on the girl's shoulder for a moment. It was a familiar, tender gesture, indicative of their connection. They weren't particularly affectionate people, so moments like this meant even more. Henry wouldn’t say it, but she was pretty honoured to be Tempest’s Cub. “Your chaos is my respite, y’know,” she said slowly, as though thinking aloud. “Like… you’re crazy, obviously. But you’re my crazy.”

Sniffing, Henry lifted her head and leaned out of the window a little. “Alright, I'm ready. Let’s get some revenge!”

[Tempest Truett]

A playful glint sparkled in Tempest's eyes as Henry confirmed her participation in the impending chaos. The mention of Henry's stolen guitar only solidified their mission. Tempest found herself reminiscing on the early days of their friendship; back when Henry, the feisty, troubled Athena child, seemed desperate for an anchor to the chaos of Camp Half-Blood. Tempest had never planned on providing any sort of stability but surprisingly she molded into that role pretty well. Though sometimes she wondered if she really should be a role model to anyone.

Feeling Henry's head resting against her shoulder momentarily, Tempest felt a swell of affection. Though she was known to keep her emotions under wraps, even she couldn't deny the bond she shared with her younger friend. It was more than just the shared adventures, the thrill of pranks, or the dangers they faced together; it was a connection built on mutual respect, understanding, and the kind of loyalty that was hard to come by. Even if Henry had given her the worst possible nickname known to man. Henry's confession about Tempest's 'crazy' being her respite drew a soft chuckle from her lips. "Look who's talking," Tempest teased, nudging her gently. "If I'm the storm, you're the lightning bolt that makes it unforgettable."

Drawing the vials closer, Tempest slipped them into a leather pouch. "Alright, Cub," she murmured, her voice taking on an excited edge. "Let's teach those Hermes kids a lesson they won't forget anytime soon." As they readied their vials, Tempest paused, casting a sidelong glance at Henry. "You know," she began with a mischievous smirk, "with your newfound skills in the kissing department, maybe we can make a little bet. If our prank on the Hermes cabin goes off without a hitch, you have to spill every juicy detail about that night with Liam. Deal?" Before Henry could retort, Tempest burst out laughing, nudging her playfully. With a swing of her dark brown hair, she stepped towards the door, her laughter setting the tone for their next escapade.

[Henrietta Abbot]

Anyone who’d had the pleasure of a compliment from Tempest would attest to what Henry felt in that moment: it just hits different. Trying to remain cool in the face of such an accolade, she nodded at her friend. “Hell yeah I am,” she grinned, returning Tempest’s nudge.

Cub. Henry laughed brightly and loudly, picturing the two of them growing older. Would she, at 70, still be Tempest’s 'Cub'? If she was, they’d still be pulling pranks side by side, wherever they ended up. She faltered, falling a little behind her friend as an awful thought entered her brain: demigods often don’t make it to their twenties, let alone seventies. For a moment, she watched Tempest’s dark hair swing effortlessly a few steps ahead, towards the door. There weren’t many people she was scared to lose, but this girl was definitely one of them. The thought retreated into the caverns of her mind as Tempest spoke again, teasing her.

“You witch! Fine, deal -- I’ll spill, but only ‘cause you’re helping me avenge Atalanta.” Yes, she’d named her guitar. So what? Laughing, Henry ran to catch up with her friend. Once safely at her side, walking towards the Hermes cabin nonchalantly, she began stretching her throwing arm: she’d learned an unfortunate lesson the hard way the first time she tried out this potion. 

[Tempest Truett]

With the sunlight casting warm hues around the camp, Tempest and Henry’s silhouettes meandered through the maze of cabins, Tempest couldn’t help but get lost in her thoughts. Her relationship with Henry was a beacon in the midst of her otherwise tumultuous existence. Their dynamic was not just rooted in chaos, but in trust. The memories they'd created together had cemented a bond that went beyond mere camaraderie. Yet, she never hesitated to extract vengeance when asked and sooner or later this mess with Henry, Liam and Nove would suck her into it's drama too. Uggg, why'd Henry have to go and kiss that boy...

Lost in her reverie, Tempest was snapped back to the present by something Henry had said as they left. She grinned, "Wait.....you named your guitar?? And you named it Atalanta? Well....Atalanta deserves justice and I'm the girl to see that through," she declared theatrically, feigning a dramatic tone, “but the price of justice is juicy gossip.” She shot a playful wink at Henry. “And I'll be ready to collect.” The truth was, Tempest would probably need that info down the line and Henry was the perfect mark to get it from.

Approaching the Hermes cabin, Tempest carefully surveyed the area. Even with their nonchalance, they needed to be cautious. The thrill of the prank wasn’t just in its execution, but in the art of remaining undetected. "Ok, let's see how well you've been paying attention. What should our plan of approach be? I think you've earned a chance to make some critical decisions." 

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry laughed heartily at Tempest's theatricality; in truth, the Hermes kids had done little more than inconvenience her by stealing Atalanta. She was returned without so much as a scratch, but still! Anyone who'd been at camp longer than three days knew that she and Tempest were a duo, and their reputation was none too virtuous. Anyone that messed with them was signing up for a bit of revenge. 

Henry saw right through Tempest's bet: they'd been friends for so long that she'd be naive not to. Part of Tempest's curiosity about the kiss was genuine, sure. The other part? Well, that girl was always on the lookout for gossip and injustice to rectify. If Henry was anybody else, she'd be keeping that information close to her chest. But Temmy was as close to a best friend as she'd ever had -- unless Henry did something truly terrible to her, she knew she was safe. And, lucky for her, she had no such intentions! Besides, it was just a kiss, right? How much damage could it do?

Eager to prove herself, Henry felt her Athena battle strategy side kick in... was this a job that required subtlety and finesse? Or distraction? Or pure stealth? The latter seemed the best bet, as technically what they were doing was definitely against camp rules. "Well, as much as I'm enjoying your grating company," Henry teased, "I think we've gotta split up. You take the left, and I'll take the right. In 3 minutes, all the Hermes kids should be finishing up combat training at the lake. We throw the vials before then and they won't be able to hit the showers for like, an hour!" she grinned mischievously. 

"Once we're done, run behind the cabin towards the mess hall. We can make it look like we were there the whole time." Henry concluded her plan with a wink. Don't let it be said that Tempest was a neglectful teacher -- Henry was a very competent harbinger of chaos now, too!

 

[Tempest Truett]

As they made their way closer to the Hermes cabin, the weight of the glue-filled vials in her pouch felt like a reminder of the looming chaos they were about to unleash. Henry's plan was clear, concise, and showed off her strategic prowess, and Tempest couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. She watched as her younger friend, once a chaotic mess, now channeled that energy with laser focus. It was a testament to the time they'd spent together, each teaching the other in their unique ways.

Lost in thought again, Tempest's internal conflict bubbled up. Henry's association with Liam and Novalie was a tangle she hadn't wanted to get involved in. Relationships in Camp Half-Blood had a way of intertwining destinies in unexpected manners. She'd already heard rumblings that Novalie was looking to get back at Liam and Novalie would almost certainly look for a Nemesis camper for help in that. With Henry's recent kiss with Liam, Tempest felt like she was being drawn into the vortex whether she liked it or not. Even if it was just to extract some playful gossip now, Tempest knew it could mean more down the line. She sighed softly, mentally preparing herself for whatever ripples that one moment might bring into their lives.

But there was no time to linger on it now. Tempest nodded approvingly at Henry's plan, letting out a laugh at her friend's tease. "Sounds like a plan. But remember, timing is everything," she warned, her playful demeanor momentarily replaced with earnestness. She took a deep breath and smirked, "May the best chaos-bringer win." With that she bolted off to the left the sun glinting off her dark hair as she swiftly moved towards her target. As she approached her designated point, Tempest took one of the vials, rolling it between her fingers, feeling the cool glass and the potential of the havoc they were about to wreak before applying it just where she suspected the Hermes campers would come barging through after their training.

[Henrietta Abbot]

Nodding solemnly at Tempest's expert tip, Henry calculated roughly how much time they had. The sticky steps potion would take about 30 seconds to develop, and they had about 2 minutes til the Hermes kids came back from training. Luckily, the solution was clear and wouldn't draw any attention from them. Tempest walked briskly but casually to her dedicated spot, ever the professional. Henry had a bit more nervous energy than her well-practiced friend, but managed to suppress it and walk quite calmly to her point, parallel to Tempest's. Ducking behind a pillar of the cabin, Henry rolled the vial between her fingers, the movement activating the solution. 

As soon as she heard the distant laughter of the Hermes kids, Henry made the noise the two girls had shared since the earliest days of their pranking: two short whistles in quick succession. It was a sound easily ignored or attributed to an annoyed bird or particularly tuneless satyr's pipe. But, to them, it signalled action. Henry splashed the sticky steps potion across the ground and stairs leading up to the cabin. Not daring to waste another moment there, she sprinted quietly behind the cabin, slowing to a casual walk as soon as she was a safe distance away. 

Trusting that Tempest had executed the plan flawlessly (she always did, of course), Henry hadn't risked looking back. Now she did, grinning at the sound of the Hermes kids swearing and struggling behind them. "We totally got their asses, Temmy!" Henry laughed, pausing to catch her breath. She offered a fist for their celebratory secret handshake, pride sparkling in her eyes. Beyond them loomed the mess hall, ready to reward their efforts with fresh fruit and bread rolls. What a perfect day! Except that now she owed Tempest all the details of her kiss with Liam...

[Tempest Truett]

The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the camp. Amidst the fading golden light, Tempest took a moment to savor their victory. The distant muffled yells and frustrated sounds coming from the Hermes cabin brought a wide grin to her face. She looked over to see Henry glowing with success, her joyful laughter filling the air. "Oh, we more than got them," Tempest chuckled, returning the fist bump and flawlessly executing their secret handshake. "I'd say Atalanta has been fully avenged and the balance of justice restored. Mother would be so proud" she said sarcastically at that last part. But a sense of satisfaction did wash over her; another successful mission in the books.

However, amidst the elation, a twinge of uncertainty flickered within Tempest's eyes. She remembered the bet she had made with Henry earlier and felt a strange mix of curiosity and concern. She wanted to know, yes, but she also wondered about the implications it might bring to their dynamic. Shaking off the thought for now, she motioned toward the mess hall. "Fruit and stories await," she remarked, her voice teasing yet sincere. "I have to hear about this fateful night, after all."

As they entered the mess hall, the warm aroma of freshly baked bread hit them instantly. They quickly filled their plates with an assortment of fruits and pastries, choosing a table away from prying ears. Settling down, Tempest leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief, "Alright, Cub, spill the beans. You owe me, and I'm a woman of my word. Every. Single. Detail." Her voice was filled with playful anticipation, but beneath it all lay a protective edge, a testament to the deep bond she shared with her younger friend. She took a bite of her fruit, waiting for Henry to begin the tale.

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry rolled a peach between her palms, elbows resting on her knees, wondering where to begin. It was a delicate matter for sure... Tempest was her best friend, but she was also Tempest. Was it too risky to open up about everything? Henry's heavy thoughts were interrupted by distant cries of help and anguish from the Hermes kids. Aaah. There is good in the world, after all. With her spirit raised slightly, she took a bite... and a leap of faith. 

"You saw what went down at the campfire, right? Well... I went to see Liam after that. To, like, comfort him or whatever." She wiped the juice from her chin with a flannel-clad forearm. "Long story short, we argued, I accidentally cut my nose," she gestured to the injury, "and I kissed his big stupid face. And no matter what he tells you, I was not crying." Henry finished by punctuating her story with a stern nod. Okay, so it wasn't every single detail. But it was most of them. Aside from her true feelings, et cetera et cetera, but who wanted to know about that shit? Yuck! 

"Happy now, Temmy?" Henry gave her friend a rough but good-natured nudge, grinning through her blush. Having finished the peach, she chucked the pit at a nearby Demeter kid's head (it's not mean if it's pertinent, right?) and grabbed a pastry. "And if you blackmail me, so help me Gods, I'll tell everyone about that teddy bear you sleep with." That was a joke of course -- Henry would never do that. Partly because they were so close... mostly because Tempest would make her life a living hell. Sure, she'd learned from the best, but there was no way Tempest had shared every trick in her book of revenge with her Cub. Some tricks of the trade were copyrighted. 

[Tempest Truett]

Watching Henry recount the evening, Tempest's fingers played absentmindedly with the edge of her plate. It wasn't just the story itself, but the emotions that danced across Henry's face as she spoke. Tempest's instincts were always sharp, and she could sense that Henry's heart was entangled in a complex web of emotions, each tug of which threatened to unravel it all. "So, you kissed him, huh?" she responded, lips curling into a smirk but her eyes betraying genuine interest. "It sounds messy. These things often are." Tempest leaned back, weighing her words, "But cutting your nose in the process? Only you Cub, only you..." she teased lightly, trying to ease the tension.

Tempest picked at a piece of bread. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories, and advice from the past. As the guardian-like figure in their relationship, she always felt the need to protect, guide, and occasionally push Henry in the right direction. "Henry," she began softly, her playful demeanor momentarily replaced with earnestness, "feelings are confusing. And they can lead us down unexpected paths. Sometimes, they lead to happiness, other times... well, to chaos. For instance, how do you plan on handling a certain pissed off Aphrodite camper? She'll be gunning for you ya know, even if it was 'just a kiss'"

Taking another bite of her fruit, she contemplated her own experiences with love and heartbreak at Camp Half-Blood. While she never let herself get too entangled, she'd had her fair share of close calls and complicated relationships. "Look, Camp Half-Blood is filled with heroes, legends, and heartbreaks waiting to happen. Just ensure that whatever you're feeling, you're true to yourself. And if Liam is worth his salt, he'll respect and value you for who you are. But if he doesn’t..." Tempest grinned mischievously, her eyes glinting with a hint of danger, "well, you know who to come running to."

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry could always count on Tempest for sound advice about life at CHB; sometimes it felt like their first interaction had never ended. To this day, she was always getting camp life explained to her. Flicking pastry crumbs off her shirt, she grinned at her friend. "It was only a little cut. And hey, you should've seen the other guy -- bluest balls you've ever seen," She joked, trying to ease Tempest's mind. Henry knew all too well that the girl hated romance, true love, and all that. At the very best she was suspicious of it; somehow Henry doubted Tempest would be too keen on anything developing between her and Liam Santos. 

"Don't worry, Temmy. He'll go running back to that Aphrodite girl and leave me in the dust. Just gives us an excuse to fuck with the Ares cabin, right?" Henry's grin was a valiant attempt at hiding her feelings, however useless that was in the face of this child of Nemesis... She always seemed to intuit the true intentions behind people's actions. Whether that was a goddess-given gift or a mere facet of Tempest's intelligence, Henry was never quite sure. Novalie was just about the worst person to be warring withing over a boy. She had Aphrodite blood, after all. "As for Nova... I don't know. She seems nice enough," she shrugged. "I mean, she's an Aphrodite camper. What's she gonna do? Speak French at me? Braid my hair?" This was, of course, a gross underestimation of their powers, she knew. Still, the thought of being bested by a child of Aphrodite just seemed... comical. As much as Henry was realising she liked Liam, Nova could have him. Easy decision for him at the end of the day... hmm... beautiful, powerful Novalie? Or scrawny, argumentative Henrietta? As if.

"I don't need stupid boys, anyway. I've got you." Henry split a muffin down the middle and offered the larger half to Tempest.

[Tempest Truett]

Tempest chuckled, her sharp eyes watching Henry's expression. "Bluest balls you've ever seen huh?" she teased. "I always knew you had a way with words." As Henry tried to downplay the potential consequences of her actions with Liam, Tempest could almost have been the Oracle with how she foresaw this all playing out. Yes, she had her deep reservations about love and romance, mostly due to the ever-changing, unpredictable nature of demigod relationships, but she still cared about Henry's well-being. Which to this day was still an unusual feeling for her.

"Don't sell yourself short," she remarked leaning forward until her face was inches from Henry's, "and don't underestimate the Aphrodite cabin. They're more than just pretty faces. They can make you love, hate, or feel intense jealousy without lifting a finger." Tempest lowered her voice for dramatic effect, as if Aphrodite herself could come into the mess hall at any minute, as Tempest continues with whispered words. "Do you remember the story of Elara? It was before your time here at camp. She crossed an Aphrodite girl, jealous of her brief affair with a boy. Soon after, Elara was never the same. They say every time she looked in a mirror, instead of her own reflection, she saw a decaying version of herself, rotting away, her screams forever trapped in the glass. People started finding shattered mirrors everywhere she went. It was rumored the Aphrodite girl cursed her to forever see her own demise, and Elara was driven to the edge of sanity. She eventually disappeared, leaving behind a trail of broken glass." She winked at Henry, a sly grin forming on her lips. "Just a tale I heard. No idea if it's true or not."

Accepting the larger half of the muffin, Tempest's face softened. "And I've got you, Cub. Always," she said earnestly. "Whatever mess we find ourselves in, we face it together. And as for boys..." she sighed, taking a bite from the muffin, "they come and go. But friendships like ours? They're forged in chaos, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose. Nothing can break that."

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry rolled her eyes at the mention of Elara; the tale was a legend at camp, used to dissuade newcomers from messing with the easy targets of Cabin 10. Henry's amusement was shown only in the twitch of her mouth-- it was a nearly imperceptible movement that she knew Tempest would notice, no problem. "Yeah, yeah, the wrath of Aphrodite... cool lecture, mom. I'll be fine. Word around camp is that Nora's rage is directed at Liam for now, and he could do with a few less mirrors as far as I'm concerned." Henry picked at her half of the muffin, chewing slowly and thoughtfully. "Gods, Tem, you're so protective! Do you looove me or something?" Henry grinned wickedly, eyes alight with fondness and amusement. For a moment, she could put all of her worries, insecurities and doubts down. She could just be herself. That's one of the things she loved most about Tempest; she brought out the best, most authentic version of her. Henry knew she was damn lucky to have befriended the most badass girl in camp!

"Nothing and no-one," she agreed happily. "They try to break us, we break them." Having finished her food, Henry stretched dramatically, finally coming to a rest with her elbows resting on the table behind her. The two girls were in the perfect place to watch the chaos they just caused unfold. Some of the Iris campers had swarmed like ants around the entrance of Cabin 11, attempting to pull the Hermes kids out. Looking beyond the mayhem to the training grounds, Henry saw a figure alone, punching the air. Even from afar, she recognised that frame. Liam Santos... What a tool. Why was everything so complicated all of a sudden?

"Enough about me," she grimaced, "tell me about your latest scheme. Whose lives are you ruining this week?"

[Tempest Truett]

Tempest leaned back, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Love you? Oh, darling, you wish," she quipped playfully. "Trust me, if I made a move Liam would be the last thing on your mind." It was these moments—where they could tease, challenge, but yet still trust one another—that Tempest found herself oddly cherishing. Henry was more than a friend; she was like the little sister Tempest had never asked for but had no intentions of ever returning....at least not yet. There was a freedom in their friendship that she didn't find anywhere else. It was disarming in the most beautiful way.

Tempest then turned her gaze towards the unfolding drama, watching as the campers buzzed around in a state of chaos. She sighed, a little pleased at their handiwork but already coming off the high and left once again unsatisfied. Her gaze met Henry's when the younger girl asked about her 'latest scheme.' "Ah, my wicked plots? I was thinking of swapping out the Apollo cabin's arrows with rubber ones before their archery practice. Imagine the look on their faces when their shots don't quite hit the mark," she mused, her voice dripping with delight. It wasn't just about the pranks or the schemes; it was about challenging the status quo, even if just for a laugh.

There was still a part of Tempest that was perpetually wary, a survival instinct honed through years of trials and uncertainties. But with Henry, some of that caution could take a backseat, making room for levity and a love she'd seldom felt before. "They try to break us, we break them," she echoed Henry's earlier sentiment, her eyes meeting the younger girl's with a warmth that she reserved for very few. "You and me, kid. We're unbreakable......Ok..enough sentimental crap. How about you? If you could prank anyone at camp or cause a disruption what would you do? Aside from already kissing Nova's current boy toy of course!"

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry let out a hearty laugh at Tempest's teasing. "Oh, shut up! You'd be lucky to have me!" She tugged on a strand of the brunette's hair. "If I weren't a catch, I wouldn't be the talk of the camp right now." The sentence was punctuated with a wordless middle finger to the gaggle of younger campers whispering behind them. Sometimes Tempest felt like more of a sibling than any of the Athena cabin kids, besides Sage. They were good to have around for Capture the Flag, but Henry was a notoriously difficult person to get to know. Tempest had disarmed her without even trying, and that was special. If souls existed, Henry and Tempest's were made of the same gunk. 

"Sounds like a plan; they're due a bit of a shock to their inflated egos. And, before you say anything," she hastened to add, "I'm not just bitter 'cause I'm a shit archer." Henry was so used to Tempest's quips that, often, she could counter them before the girl had even said anything. It wasn't that Tempest was predictable -- not even close. More so that she'd trained Henry in her particular breed of unpredictability. 

Repositioning herself so she faced Tempest, Henry pulled one knee to her chest and thought hard. "Prank anyone? Definitely Samantha Adams," she smirked. "What a buzzkill. I'm sick of sneaking out of the cabin at night to smoke, it's fucking freezing! And as for disruption... let me loose in the Aphrodite cabin's bathroom for ten minutes. There'd be a sudden uptick in early onset hair loss around here, I'll tell you that for free," she grinned. "What about you? You'd wanna prank Zeus himself, I bet."

[Tempest Truett]

Tempest chuckled at Henry's audacity, finding her bravado both amusing. "Samantha, eh? Good choice. She could do with a little ruffling. You know she hates to be called Sam right? If you ever want to get under her skin," Tempest stated. The idea of Henry getting into the Aphrodite cabin's bathroom also drew an appreciative grin. "Ah, havoc in the house of beauty? Now you're speaking my language." Tempest felt a sense of rare joy in that moment, as though they were comrades preparing for a playful war. Here with Henry, she could plan out the most chaotic pranks and know she had a willing accomplice, one who could match her in audacity and wit.

In a world where everyone wore some kind of mask, here was someone who stripped all pretense away. And for that, Tempest was uncharacteristically grateful. "Me, prank Zeus? Oh, you give me too much credit. Although—" Her eyes momentarily darted to the side, catching sight of a certain Phobos camper walking into the mess hall. Her words paused, and her posture stiffened just a fraction. A slight shadow crossed her features, one she hoped Henry wouldn't notice. With a mental shake, she refocused on the conversation at hand, pushing away the temporary disquiet. "--it wouldn't be out of character, now would it?"

Tapping a finger to her lips thoughtfully, she considered Henry's question about whom she'd prank. "Well, if we're aiming for the gods, a little mischief in Hermes' domain wouldn't go amiss. After all, what could be better than pranking the god of pranks right?" she chuckled, pleased with her own imagination. The prospect was ludicrous but inviting. In a place full of chaos, rules, and divine expectations, moments like these were her personal Elysium. "But then again," she added with a wink, "why settle for a god when you've got a camp full of would-be heroes?"

[Henrietta Abbot]

Henry followed Tempest's gaze, tracing the cause for her friend's sudden shift in demeanour. A red-headed Phobos camper stood there with a smirk, wiggling her fingers in a taunting wave. She filed away the strange interaction for later inspection. Nobody ever shook Tempest... seems like Henry's true feelings for Liam weren't the only secret that hung between them. Unlucky for Tempest, Athena's children have impeccable memories. "No, it wouldn't be out of character. I mean, you're not scared of anyone, right?" The taunt was just subtle enough to be ambiguous, but overt enough that Tempest would catch on. The dynamic between the two girls was such that teasing was practically mandatory; even if that shift in mood meant nothing, it was Henry's duty to poke fun!

"You could take Hermes down easy," grinned Henry, quick to get back on Tempest's good side. "We just messed with his whole cabin, didn't we? Aside from the one skipping training for a quickie in the woods, anyway." That was always a safe bet around CHB. Tempest seemed the only one immune to the raging hormones; even Henry herself had been caught out by a boy. She'd never known her best friend to be intimate with anyone unless she stood to gain something from it. 

"Like these babbling idiots have any chance of being heroes," Henry laughed. "These kids aren't cut out for surviving puberty, let alone a quest!"

[Tempest Truett]

Feeling her composure slip for just a moment under Henry's probing gaze, Tempest quickly masked her unease with a flash of a smile. "Scared of anyone? Henry you're such a joker. I just like to keep tabs on the competition, that's all." She delivered the line with a lightness she didn't entirely feel, hiding the momentary jolt of concern behind a façade of casual bravado. That moment with the Phobos camper had rattled her, but she'd be damned if she let it crack her exterior for long. She shifted her focus back to their light-hearted plotting. "Hermes would be a delightful challenge, yes. It's like playing chess with someone who actually knows how to play chess. And as for these would-be heroes," she gestured broadly to the camp around them, "I'm convinced half of them would die from an accidental paper cut before even setting foot on a quest."

The mention of raging hormones and woodland quickies made her roll her eyes. "Well, if the battlefield doesn't kill them, their drama just might." There was an unspoken understanding between Tempest and Henry about intimacy, one that Tempest had never felt the need to put into words. Unlike many campers who found themselves entangled in the labyrinth of romantic escapades, Tempest had always been a pragmatic lover at best. She never gave herself to whimsy unless it could be weaponized, or if the power dynamic shifted in her favor only and even then, it was fleeting. Simply put, when it came to sex Tempest always came out on top.

Turning back to Henry, "So, what's our next move? I've heard rumblings of a certain Tyche girl in need of some 'help'. Apparently her cabin leader is a rather huge bore and in need of pranking. Doesn't seem like there's much 'vengeance' or 'justice' to be had but could make for a fun distraction. The meeting is tomorrow if you're down?"

[Henrietta Abbot]

The two girls kept it (relatively) chill for the rest of the day. They planned passively for the meeting tomorrow, suggesting potential routes of prankery. Henry played look-out while Tempest replaced the Apollo kids' arrows for rubber replicas... just tiny mischiefs. By the time the sun was down, the Hermes kids were free from their sticky prisons and ready to hit the showers. The water was ice cold. The laughter of two unlikely friends punctuated the exclamations of the poor, shivering campers. 

Henry was grateful to Tempest for allowing her to feel normal, if only for a few hours. She'd made a big mistake kissing Liam, and the whispers that followed her around camp were like a million tiny snakes hissing. Or the scuttling of thousands of spider legs! She shuddered at the thought. As she lay in bed that night, she thought about how grateful she was for Tempest. Tempest, who treated her like a sister, a partner in crime, and an agent of chaos all in one. The rush of affection she had for her best friend kept her dreams that night, if not sweet, thoroughly neutral. Camp was a scary place sometimes -- not because of the monsters, but because so many teens packed together spelt trouble. Henry and Tempest made their own trouble, a kind they could control. That helped a lot on days like this. 

Henry's dreams that night were full of Ares boys and red-headed Phobos girls. What new chaos was threatening to sweep CHB?

The End